Chip-based cell monitoring system for preclinical pharmacological studies

28 August 2006

Rostock-Warnemünde, Germany. Bionas GmbH has launched a device for in vitro profiling of the metabolic activity of cells to understand cellular function. The Bionas 2500 is a bench-top instrument that measures multiple metabolic parameters simultaneously, such as acidification, oxygen consumption and adhesion of living cells for high quality and predictive safety pharmacological studies during preclinical phases of drug discovery.

The label-free and non-invasive live cell-based assay employs sensor chips that replace the conventional bottom of culture wells. Various cell types including primary cells have been successfully tested. The readout is carried out continuously over long periods of time and can be viewed online, revealing a deeper insight in cellular function than possible with endpoint-based assays. Regeneration effects can also be monitored.

The Bionas 2500 analyzer closely mimics the in vivo situation and also:

• aids compound selection during preclinical phases of drug discovery;
• reduces needless animal studies; and
• saves money due to reduction of development time.

he main applications include drug profiling, lead optimization, early toxicology programs, ADME/Tox, chemosensitivity testing, toxicological testing of chemical substances (REACH) and cell culture monitoring/optimization.

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